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Saturday, January 2, 2016

Old-Fashioned Charm's 2016 Period Drama Challenge!


It's hard to believe that it's been three years since I posted the first Period Drama Challenge in January of 2013. Now in this new year of 2016 and I want to issue another challenge to watch and review a certain number of period dramas over the next six months! 

A few years ago a period drama website I followed (which has since disappeared) hosted a Period Drama Challenge - watch a certain number of period dramas in a year and review each one. That challenge is what got me started reviewing films. Now I'd like to issue a similar challenge to all of you! 

This Period Drama Challenge is given in the hopes that it will inspire you to not only watch new and interesting period films but also share a love for these films by reviewing them! 

This challenge won't be difficult for many of my readers because you review more films than I do now! Hopefully this challenge will also help me to be more consistent about reviewing film.



To Participate: 
  • Choose a number of period films to watch (see levels below). 
  • Leave me a comment to let me know you are going to participate and post on your blog or website that you're going to join in.
  • Watch the number of films you choose between January 2nd - July 2nd, 2016.
  • When you watch a period film review it on your blog or website. 
  • When you review a film leave a comment here with the link to your review. 
  • Each month I'll be posting links to the reviews posted during that month. 
  • Each month I'm also planning to post some tag questions for participants to answer just for fun. 

How Many Period Dramas Will You Choose To Watch?
Choose a number of films from the list below. You can change the number of films you watch and review as you go along. You don't have to tell me which films you're going to watch and review - part of the fun is finding new things to watch. You can choose to re-watch a film you've seen before, but just make sure it's one you've never reviewed before. Pick however many films you think you can reasonably watch and review in six months.

Choose one of these amounts:
  • 5 Films - Period Film Admirer 
  • 8 Films - Period Film Lover 
  • 10 Films - Period Film Devotee 
  • 12 to 15 Films - Period Film Fanatic  

What Makes A Period Drama?
A television costume drama, big screen film or TV series set in a historical era. They could be adaptations of classic novels, based upon historically set books, stories of historical events or even biographical flicks. For what eras are eligible I'd say anything from Ancient times up to the 1940's (like World War II). Also eligible are films that travel back in time or start in one era and moves to another (such as Lost In Austen, From Time To Time, Somewhere In Time or The Love Letter).

Here's a list of historical eras to help you out:
  • The Ancient Era (Biblical times, 4000 B.C.-476 A.D.) 
  • The Medieval Era (476-1450) 
  • The Renaissance Era (1450-1600) & Elizabethan Era (1558-1603) 
  • The Baroque Era (1600-1750) 
  • The Georgian/Colonial Era  (1714-1811) 
  • The Regency Era (1812-1830, also known as the Jane Austen era) 
  • The Victorian Era (1837-1901) 
  • The Edwardian Era (1901-1919. and World War I)
  • The 1920's 
  • The 1930's
  • The 1940's (World War II films)

Having a hard time choosing something to watch? Check out my Period Films page and also this handy list with synopsis, trailers and links to reviews of each film.

What Should You Include In Your Reviews?
Firstly, the films you choose should preferably be family friendly, but if they do have questionable scenes please note this somewhere in your review. Other than that the style of review is up to you! Your review can be fairly short (one or two paragraphs) or ramble on at length - but, if you usually write very short reviews I encourage you to go into more detail. It's a good idea to talk about things like the music, scenery, story, actors, costumes & hairstyles. And if it's based on a book or historical era, you might mention how accurate it is to the book and time period. And don't forget to tell how much you liked or disliked it the film and whether you'd recommend it. Consider including film clips, quotes, photos or soundtrack clips in your review too. Overall, just have fun with them!


Will you help spread the news about this Period Drama Challenge? Please post on Twitter, Facebook pages, Instagram, Tumblr or on your blog! Feel free to use the image above or use one of these buttons:

Old-Fashioned Charm


Old-Fashioned Charm



Will you join in?

How many period dramas will you be watching and reviewing?




P.S. Because I will be traveling the day this is posted, I may not be able to respond to comments right away. Thanks for your patients!

91 comments:

  1. Oooooooohhh, this looks most exciting!! I'll have to see how many I can fit in, but I definitely hope to participate. :) Meanwhile, the button's going up on my sidebar.

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  2. That sounds like a wonderful project.
    You can count me in:)
    I'm gonna try to watch 10 films - should be possible.

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  3. I'm back again! With your wonderfully open film range, when it comes to watching I'm most definitely a Period Drama Fanatic (i.e. I know I'll probably easily be watching 12-15 between now and July ;D). Buuuuut, I'm also trying to keep my schedule open and I'm not sure how many I can actually review... so I think I'll sign up for doing 5 at the moment. Does that sound good?

    Thanks so much for hosting!!! I'm planning to post about it after my Cinderella party next week. :)

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  4. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thankyouthankyouthankyou. I am so excited about this! I have been hoping you'd do this again, and I'm absolutely in! I am going to aim for Fanatic, as in 12 to 15 films :-) We'll see if I make it this time!

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  5. Oh this sounds like fun! I'm up for the challenge, and will go for 8 films as a "period film lover" and hope to have at least two by the end of the month. Cheers! - Tom

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  6. Lovely, lovely! I want to join and I'm going to aim for 8 reviews. Will you be doing monthly recaps like you did last time? I really enjoyed browsing through those and reading other peoples reviews and have discovered many lovely blogs that way!

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  7. What a delightful idea! I love the generous spread you gave for period films; this should be both educational and enjoyable. I'm going to join in as a Period Drama admirer.

    And I just put up my first review! - http://ofhorseselvesandmen.blogspot.com/2016/01/movie-spotlight-first-love-1939.html

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  8. Aww I love this idea! So cool! I definitely want to join in.

    I'm going to go for a Period Film Admirer and do 5 films. Hopefully, I'll be able to pull this off. ;)

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  9. Here's my link-up/PDC announcement post:

    http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-drama-challengefilm-list.html

    And question -- (I can't make up my mind on this :)), but does the 2015 Cinderella count?

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  10. What a lovely blog you have! This would be great for me to do, as I'm still pretty new to blogging. I'd love to join as a Period Drama Admirer. Do seasons of a period drama series count?
    -Abby
    http://violetcottage.blogspot.com/

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  11. This sounds fun - but no 50's or 60's? And do mini-series count?

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  12. What a lovely idea! I'm fairly busy right now so I shall sign up for the Period Drama Admirer. If I have more time, I will probably do the Period Drama Lover. Thanks so much for hosting this!

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  13. This looks like a lovely idea! I'll sign up for Period Film Admirer - Five films!

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  14. Hi! My name is Carissa and my blog is Musings of an Introvert. I found you because of Heidi and this period drama challenge sounds like so very much fun! I'll also be following your blog since your interests sound like they're right up my alley. :)

    I will confess to being a Period Drama Lover and will agree to 8 films right now, although that might change. I'm almost finished watching the remake of Jamaica Inn so that will likely be my first review! :)

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  15. This looks like so much fun! I love period films.

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  16. Okay, so I'm changing it up a little! I've gone up to Devotee because I couldn't imagine what I would cut from my list! Here's my first announcement post for your challenge. ❤

    http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-drama-challenge-film-choices.html

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  17. I would love to join in! This is the first time I have seen this challenge, but I'm up for 12-15 as that is what I would watch anyway! Last week I did a review of The Age of Adaline - would that count? It was a lovely movie.
    Jayne @ http://tinytoadstoolcottage.blogspot.com.au/

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  18. I have just posted my movie and TV series choices on my blog and will post my first review on Saturday.

    http://tinytoadstoolcottage.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/period-drama-challenge.html

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  19. Miss Laurie, I have two reviews done so far :-) My review of the 1914 silent version of Cinderella is here, and my review of the 1955 version of We're No Angels is here.

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  20. Just wrote my review for the 1997 version of Oliver Twist. Not a bad start, I think. Thanks for hosting this. I know I've just found your blog, but I'm finding it very enjoyable. ❤

    http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-drama-challenge-oliver-twist-1997.html

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  21. I'm going to do 5 for the moment - here's my intro post :)

    http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/period-drama-challenge-2016.html

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  22. Hi, first review is 'Call the Midwife' :) http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/call-midwife.html

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  23. One more for January! (Next month, I'll try to leave you one comment with all my links instead of bombarding you over and over.) My review of The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) is here :-)

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  24. Here's the review I did for the 2015 Cinderella earlier this month: http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/01/movie-review-cinderella-2015-with-lily.html

    (Again, I'm not positive it fits ;), but I did talk about the dresses/highlighted periods a little so feel free to decide if it works, etc!)

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  25. Here's my review for The Inheritance:

    http://ofhorseselvesandmen.blogspot.com/2016/01/movie-spotlight-inheritance-1997.html

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  26. Miss Laurie, I finished another review, this time for Beyond the Mask, a most delightful and family friendly period film.

    http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-film-challenge-beyond-mask-2015.html

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  27. Hi everyone! Thanks for joining and I'm really enjoying all your lovely reviews!

    Films like Cinderella (2015) are perfectly fine for reviewing, films rather old-fashioned in clothing style but with a bit of fantasy or magic in them is perfectly fine. Also it's fine to review one season of a period TV show at a time or even one episode at a time.

    I will be doing a recap post with tag questions for each month. The January Recap & Tag Questions post is on the blog now: http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2016/02/january-2016-period-drama-challenge.html

    My first film review is Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World: http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2016/01/master-and-commander-far-side-of-world.html

    Keep the wonderful reviews going! Feel free to join any time if you haven't already joined!

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  28. Here's the link to my first review! I unfortunately only reviewed one film last month, but I hope to do more in February. From the looks of things, I will probably be able to review more than 5 films overall :)

    http://sunshineandscribblings.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-drama-challenge-singin-in-rain.html

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  29. Oh Yes! I can easily do 12-15 (maybe more LOL) I have a Doris Day film sitting by the dvd player right now and I can't wait! (It's a 1950s film set in the 1910s) Count me in!!!

    missmckennaray.wordpress.com

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  30. I am hoping to start a blog of my own soon...and this is perfect motivation! I would like to aim for five films. =)

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  31. I finished my 3rd review, this one for Ladyhawke from 1985, set in the 11th century. :)

    http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/02/period-drama-challenge-ladyhawke-1985.html

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  32. My next review is up! You can check out my review for At World's End right here.

    http://sunshineandscribblings.blogspot.com/2016/02/period-drama-challenge-pirates-of.html

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  33. Here's a link to my first review for the period drama challenge!

    Hail, Caesar! Review

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  34. Here's my first review (finally!). Far From the Madding Crowd 2015. http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/02/movie-review-far-from-madding-crowd-2015.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FWoZzi+%28You%2C+Me%2C+and+a+Cup+of+Tea%29

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  35. Don't know if this counts as it's mainly costumes, but here's my latest period drama post on 'War and Peace': http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/costume-stuff-8-war-and-peace-2016.html

    :)

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  36. I reviewed Jane Eyre, hre's the link:
    http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/02/jane-eyre-2011.html

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  37. Here's my review of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for the challenge :)

    http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/what-im-watching-pride-and-prejudice.html

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  38. Here's my Magic of Ordinary Days review. :)

    http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/02/movie-review-magic-of-ordinary-days.html

    And it ended up being so long I did a Part II focusing on the dress/costumes. Here's the link for that if you'd like it:

    http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/02/part-ii-magic-of-ordinary-days-dress.html

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  39. My review for Risen.

    http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/02/period-drama-challenge-risen-2016.html

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  40. My review of 'How Green was my Valley' for St. David's day :)

    http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/how-green-was-my-valley.html

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  41. Here's my second review for the drama challenge!!

    Rurouni Kenshin Film Review

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  42. My review of the 1998 version of Vanity Fair.
    http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/02/movie-review-vanity-fair-1998.html

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  43. My February tag answers!

    http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/03/period-drama-challenge-tag-answers.html

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  44. My review of 'Arabian Nights' (2000) :)
    http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/what-im-watching-arabian-nights.html

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  45. I'm joining in late, but, I had watched some qualifying movies/shows earlier. I'll go back and write mini-reviews for what I've seen in January and February. I'll write individual reviews for what I watch in the future--probably more detailed than what my mini-reviews will be!!! I'm so excited about the challenge.

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  46. First March review, for When Calls the Heart. ❤

    http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/03/purity-at-heart-of-things-when-calls.html

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  47. My review of 'Bill': http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/what-im-watching-bill.html :)

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  48. Here's my review of Mercy Street:
    http://violetcottage.blogspot.com/2016/03/mercy-street-2016-review.html
    Abby

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  49. I'm sharing my thoughts on Lark Rise to Candleford, season 1.

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  50. Not a review, but perhaps some fun: I've written a top ten "my one weakness" post inspired by Lark Rise to Candleford. I'd love to see other people share their one weakness :)

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  51. Finally reviewed my first period drama for the challenge, phew...

    http://lady-ofthe-manor.blogspot.nl/2016/03/television-review-poldark-series-1.html

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  52. A post for The Imitation Game.

    http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-do-we-treat-people-lessons-learned.html

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  53. My review of 'Tess of the D'Urbevilles' 2008 (this challenge is much too addictive...)

    http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/tess-of-durbevilles-2008.html

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  54. My review of Lark Rise to Candleford. :)
    http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/03/tv-series-review-lark-rise-to-candleford.html

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  55. My review of Populaire (2012)

    http://lady-ofthe-manor.blogspot.nl/2016/03/movie-review-populaire-2012.html#more

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  56. Too bad, I watched North & South last month, and I've already watched a few episodes of The Paradise (thanks to Netflix), and I haven't signed up! I'm still going to sign up, of course!

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  57. I posted a review of Galavant season 2 here: http://lady-ofthe-manor.blogspot.nl/2016/04/television-review-galavant-season-2.html

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  59. Here's my review for The Princess Bride (I hope it counts!)

    http://imdreamingelsewhere.blogspot.ca/2016/04/my-thoughts-on-princess-bride.html

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  60. Here's my review of Belle. :)

    http://imdreamingelsewhere.blogspot.ca/2016/04/my-thoughts-on-belle.html

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  61. I've just posted my review of Amazing Grace:
    http://violetcottage.blogspot.com/2016/04/amazing-grace-2006-review.html
    Abby

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  62. My review of Anastasia (1956): http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/anastasia-is-remake-1956-vs-1997.html
    :)

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  63. Two reviews.
    Brooklyn- http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/05/movie-review-brooklyn.html
    Chocolat- http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/05/movie-review-chocolat.html

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  64. I've got a handful of reviews to share. In one post, I reviewed Nicholas Nickleby and Bleak House. In another, I reviewed the final season of Lark Rise to Candleford. And earlier in the month I did a many mini-reviews post covering Much Ado About Nothing, Amazing Grace, Lawrence of Arabia, Schindler's List, Victoria and Albert.

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  65. Review of Love & Friendship (aka Lady Susan) :)
    http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/love-friendship-or-lady-susan-book-vs.html?view=flipcard

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  66. I reviewed these two in May
    http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/05/master-and-commander-far-side-of-world.html

    and
    http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-scarlet-pimpernel-1982.html

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  67. Here's my review for "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe": http://imdreamingelsewhere.blogspot.ca/2016/06/my-thoughts-on-lion-witch-and-wardrobe.html

    I hope it suits this challenge :3

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  68. My review for Love and Friendship.
    http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/06/movie-review-love-and-friendship.html

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  69. Here's my review for Victor Frankenstein:

    http://justwaytooboss.blogspot.com/2016/06/victor-frankenstein-review.html

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  70. I've reviewed three musicals--two of which should definitely count. 1776, Yankee Doodle Dandy, and West Point Story.

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  71. Here's my review for Sherlock Holmes :3 http://imdreamingelsewhere.blogspot.ca/2016/06/my-thoughts-on-sherlock-holmes.html

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  72. My fourth review for "The Three Musketeers" K-drama series:

    http://justwaytooboss.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-three-musketeers-k-drama-review.html

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  73. Here's my review for The Music Man '03! It's a musical, but VERY period-drama-ish. ;D

    http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/06/movie-review-music-man-2003-with.html

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  74. I've got a post of many mini-reviews. The Madness of King George, The Von Trapp Family: A Life of Music, Jane Eyre, The Seventh Cross, Nicholas Nickleby, and She Stoops To Conquer

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  75. Here's my review for Love Comes Softly:

    http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/07/movie-review-love-comes-softly-with.html

    4 out of 5 done. One more to go to make the challenge -- so we shall see! ;)

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  76. I finished!!! Here's my fifth and final review. :D

    The Black Shield of Falworth (1954) with Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh:

    http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/07/movie-review-black-shield-of-falworth.html

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  77. Here's the review I did in June

    Seven Brides For Seven Brothers:
    http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/06/seven-brides-for-seven-brothers.html

    Without A Clue:
    http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/06/without-clue.html

    Doctor Thorne:
    http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/07/doctor-thorne-2016.html

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  78. Oh my goodness, I just discovered your blog, so I am so sad that I couldn't be involved in this! I sure hope I can do it with everyone in the future! This looks super fun, after all. It's been awhile since I've watched (or even READ) a good Period Drama type of story. This kind of challenge could be just what I need.
    I certainly hope you will do this again soon!
    Have a good day. :)
    -Amaris

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I love to hear what my readers are thinking! Please do not use bad language when commenting as my blog is here to encourage readers, not to tear them down. Thanks! :)